This week we are experimenting with a recipe I found on lovelylaities.co.za. Reading the labels of “Baby Soap” is scary. Although my boys are 17 months and 3 years old, I am no longer buying commercial baby soaps for them. The few that are left over from their baby showers, etc have been used for liquid hand soap.

Babies should not be washed with any cleaners until they are several weeks old as their skin is so sensitive. After that, they should only be washed with baby soap solutions as conventional soaps (even Dove soap) are too strong for their skin.

Try this as an alternative. (It’s great for your skin too, particularly if you suffer from acne or other skin problems!)

40ml (2 tablespoons) rosewater

60ml (¼ cup) distilled water

¼ teaspoon vegetable glycerin

Mix the ingredients in a 100ml bottle and shake well. Leave for 4 days to synergize, shaking occasionally. Filter the mixture through coffee filter paper. Store in a dark coloured glass bottle and shake well before use.

To use, dip a piece of cotton wool in warm water and squeeze out well. Flatten and then sprinkle with the washing water. For a variation, or if you know your baby is not sensitive to essential oils, add up to 6 drops of your favourite essential oil before shaking.

Tea tree makes a great addition if your baby has nappy rash, but be sure to check that your baby isn’t sensitive to it on another part of their body before you use it on any rash. Alternatively, add some honey to the mix before shaking.